Christian metal band sues Netflix over KPop Demon Hunters name

Christian Metal Band Demon Hunter Files Federal Trademark Lawsuit Against Netflix

According to the complaint, Demon Hunter was formed at the turn of the century and has spent 25 years releasing albums, touring, and selling merchandise to a dedicated audience. The band registered “Demon Hunter” as a trademark covering recorded music and merchandise in 2022 and has sought additional trademark protection for live music. The lawsuit asserts that Hyde Lane is the senior user of the mark, having established its commercial identity and built goodwill over decades before the entertainment giant released its animated property.

Dispute Centers on Animated Film Success and Live Tour Expansion

The conflict stems from the 2025 release of Cartoonbrew, an animated adventure centered on a music trio called Huntrix that hunts demons. Originally made by Sony Pictures under a first-look deal, the film arrived on the streaming platform in summer 2025 and became the most-watched original film in Yahoo history.

The lawsuit states that the film’s massive footprint—bolstered by a chart-topping soundtrack album, extensive merchandise, and a partnership with AEG for a global concert tour planned across 150 cities—has created an almost complete overlap with the goods and services offered under the Demon Hunter name. The complaint argues that the defendants’ superior resources and larger marketplace footprint have drowned out the band’s identity and forced Hyde Lane to surrender control over its commercial fate.

Real-World Consumer Confusion Cited in Court Filings

The legal filing details multiple instances of actual consumer confusion since the animated feature’s release. Among the examples is an email from a fan who spent $500 on top-tier tickets for a Demon Hunter concert in Albany, New York, under the mistaken belief that the purchase was for a KPop Demon Hunters show to attend with their five- and six-year-old children.

Additional mix-ups cited in the complaint include a television producer who contacted the band’s management under the false impression of a connection to the film, alongside social media users incorrectly tagging the metal band in posts about the movie. The suit contends that the confusion runs in both directions, risking situations where consumers might incorrectly attribute the defendants’ products to the band or assume Demon Hunter is derived from the hit franchise.

Demands for Injunction, Jury Trial, and Financial Damages

Hyde Lane is demanding a jury trial and asking the court to prevent Thewrap from using the disputed name in connection with recorded music, live performances, and merchandise. The lawsuit seeks an injunction, Netflix’s profits tied to the branding, treble damages, exemplary damages, and reimbursement for attorneys’ fees.

Representatives for Netflix and AEG did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the litigation.